Question How to Write a Buffy fight scene

[NikonTheVampire]

I do believe that Buffy and Angel fanfics must have a touch of realism to the universe they belong to.
It is hard for me to read fics that thread away from what the nature of the show is.

So when I see Buffy as a detective or Spike as a prison warden... I just sigh in in grief and move on to the next fic.

Still, when you find that perfect balance in a fic with humor, drama and action. It's a golden experience.

I love Buffy fight scenes. I believe that the choreographers of the show were fantastically talented. Fight scenes are pivotal in the Buffy universe. It encapsulates the awesomeness of the heroines physical aptitude to battle evil.

Have you ever read a fic that had marvelous fight scenes?

 

[cryptwarmer]

I have, and I was surprised how exciting they were to read. When well done they just pull me in, I can picture it, even hear the sounds...

I wrote one that I think turned out pretty well. For me the thing was to write it stream of consciousness while I saw it in my head. I had to imagine the sounds and banter too. See it all in front of me as I wrote, I couldn't just construct it like a tinker toy and have it work, I had to experience it flowing.

 

[white avenger]

Fight scenes as complex as what were depicted in "Buffy" and "Angel" are very difficult to describe verbally. If you try to describe every punch, kick, step, and turn, it comes off like a martial arts text book at best or pure crap at worst. Anyone who can do it well has my respect, envy, and admiration.

 

[Ethan Reigns]

The first thing you have to do is decide the point of view you are going to use. Are you the omniscient narrator or are you just seeing what one of the fighters sees? Do you know the names of various techniques? (Each kick or punch may be a specific martial arts style.) Do you notice anything other than the opposing fighter? Buildings, items lying around that might be good impromptu weapons? Does the fight have a plan or is it all broken field running (to use a football term)? Are you at an advantage or a disadvantage?

You can work all of these things into your description and pare it down to the minimum so the fight appears to be fast.

 

[NikonTheVampire]

I have, and I was surprised how exciting they were to read. When well done they just pull me in, I can picture it, even hear the sounds...

RIGHT!!! The story become so much alive if the action is there. It becomes a true Buffy Episode.

I wrote one that I think turned out pretty well.

Would love to read it. Send me the link
 

Fight scenes as complex as what were depicted in "Buffy" and "Angel" are very difficult to describe verbally. If you try to describe every punch, kick, step, and turn, it comes off like a martial arts text book at best or pure crap at worst. Anyone who can do it well has my respect, envy, and admiration.

Well that is the point isn't it. If you can create an awesome story that includes great action fight scenes you make something magical. Buffy was about the angst and drama. Even The Body had a fight scene inside. Finding a fic of that caliber is like finding gold
 

The first thing you have to do is decide the point of view you are going to use. Are you the omniscient narrator or are you just seeing what one of the fighters sees? Do you know the names of various techniques?

You sound like an expert. Can I read your stories?

 

[cryptwarmer]

The story I wrote with the fight scene isn't posted anywhere yet. It's part of a long fic that is a work in progress. Maybe some day...for some reason all the stuff I've posted on fan fic sights is fluffy, even though most of the fic I write is not. I have no idea why that is.

 

[Ethan Reigns]

You sound like an expert. Can I read your stories?

I have written technical articles for money in the past, but I have one complete but unedited novel and two partial short stories on my C drive at the moment, so there is nothing to read yet. But thanks for the compliment.

 

[ILLYRIAN]

How to write a fight scene, plan each move and describe it. Now think about this Buffy is meant to be very strong, there are many points on a body to disable or kill a being from any angle so any fight scene can be quite short.
Has anyone ever seen tv news reports of the one-punch killers?
A slayer who has been trained how to kill should make fast work of any fight. A fight scene on tv has to last longer and it has to look interesting for the viewer

NOT SUITABLE FOR THE YOUNGER READER
example: Buffy faced him, he stood and made threats to her. She span about dropped to the ground and kicked at his knees, they both snapped. The impetus of her foot made his knees bends backwards.
So there you go, end of fight. But if you want to finalise it just add she stepped on his throat and crushed it, add a twist and remove its head. That is so boring to write, now if the person had no extra strength and not received any training it might be a bit more interesting, but not much.

 

[NikonTheVampire]

NOT SUITABLE FOR THE YOUNGER READER
example: Buffy faced him, he stood and made threats to her. She span about dropped to the ground and kicked at his knees, they both snapped. The impetus of her foot made his knees bends backwards.

I think that when we are writing fanfic and fight scenes... the emotional turmoil of the fights must be present. Specially if it's a climactic battle. Having emotions run high while everything is at stake

 

[Riderofapocalypse]

Short answer:
No, I have not read anything by anyone with battles or fight scenes which impressed me. Please PM me with links to fics which are rated M or higher (not just for violence) and have amazing fight scenes.

More Description:
Unfortunately, i have not read anything with fight scenes that are anywhere near good enough to be memorable. Most of what i have read battle wise, is no more than a few vaguely descriptive punches and/or kicks. No right crosses, uppercuts, standing side kicks, arm bars, single/double leg take downs, chop blocks, nothing. The best i got in the hand to hand department was a roundhouse kick which was wrongfully described.

This is a big reason why I wrote my own Buffy/Angel fan fiction(s) which catered to a more mature audience than a T rating. Driven by both plot and relationships (family and romantic), and large scale battles which lasted multiple chapters. I started Buffy from season 5 and went back to watch the previous seasons. I did so because of the plot at the time and the choreographed fight scenes. So excellent battle writing is a must for me, which is one reason amongst others, why i don't read fan fiction anymore. I haven't found anything which meets my tastes/standards.

Cheers

 

[NikonTheVampire]

Short answer:
No, I have not read anything by anyone with battles or fight scenes which impressed me. Please PM me with links to fics which are rated M or higher (not just for violence) and have amazing fight scenes.

Awesome. If I find some I will let you know. Will PM you.